Honourable MEC for Education Tate Makgoe's remarks at the 2011 Grade 12 Well-done Function held at Cut ‐ Bloemfontein

Program Director,
Honorable Premier of the Free State Province Mr E.S. Magashule,
Fellow Members of the Executive Council,
Members of the Provincial Legislature,
Superintendent-General for Education Mr RS Malope and Heads of Departments
present,
Senior Managers of the Department,
Representatives from Teacher Unions,
Representatives from School Governing Bodies’ Associations,
Representatives from our partners and sponsors,
Principals, Educators, Parents, and most importantly Learners,
Members of the Media,
Ladies and Gentlemen:

Honorable Premier, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am humbled to present the statistics of the 2011 Grade 12 examination results:

Provincial Pass Rate

It is pleasing to note that our provincial grade 12 pass rate has steadily improved since we took over this department in 2009. We were at 69.4% in 2009, 70.7% in 2010 and improved to 75.7% in 2011, surpassing our target of 75%. The latter denotes an improvement of 5% of which we are happy and determined to work harder to improve upon during the current academic year.

Strategic Interventions

To a large extent our improved pass rate could be attributed to intervention strategies which we put in place in order to assist learners and educators to go an extra mile in their preparation for the examinations. Among these strategies the Provincial Strategy on Learner Attainment (PSLA) can be singled out. The overall purpose of interventions in the PSLA was to develop and implement academic performance improvement plans in all underperforming schools.

Various strategic tools were utilised, including:

• Direct learner support in the form of a resource package comprising of study guides in high enrolment subjects
• A booklet of pacesetters
• CDs and booklets of previous examination papers and memoranda
• The implementation of subject improvement plans to provide subject specific support to all schools in the context of the different subjects
• Teacher development in the form of residential training workshops over weekends with a focus on all the underperforming schools
• Development of subject advisors to teach at identified underperforming schools

ICT and the HeyMaths! Program and the delivery of supplementary tuition and Partnership projects

• The use of ICT in teaching and learning prompted the introduction of the HeyMaths Program in 100 secondary schools. The program was meant to provide support in Mathematics education. Supplementary tuition was delivered during all school holidays of 2011 including learner camps closer to examinations.
• Partnership projects that took the form of Saturday Schools with a strong focus o Mathematics and Physical science were also initiated and implemented.

Put your hands up for Grade 12 class of 2011 campaign

Ladies and Gentlemen, we would like to express our appreciation to all the stakeholders who selflessly put their hands up in support of the Grade 12 class of 2011. Members of the Executive Council, Members of the Provincial Legislature, Mayors, Speakers of our Municipalities, local celebrities such as Ba 2 Cada, our two giant soccer teams - Bloemfontein Celtic and Free State Stars and District officials, for the support they gave us motivating learners. Through Put Your Hands Up For Grade 12 Class of 2011 Campaign, we have motivated more than 10 000 learners.

Overall Performance of Districts

Generally, all districts have delivered improved results in the 2011 grade 12 examinations since 2009, except the unfortunate situation where Xhariep dropped from 74.16 in 2009 to 73. 24 in 2010, Thabo
Mofutsanyana dropped from 66.00 in 2009 to 65.69 in 2010 and Fezile Dabi fell from 69.62 in 2009 to 68.89 in 2010. However, the drop has been remarkably adjusted in 2011, as the following synoptic table indicates:

All districts performed above 70% with 2 districts performing above the provincial target of 75% (Lejweleputswa 80% and Xhariep 79.50%)

Schools Improving by 20% since 2010

Thabo Mofutsanyana District has the highest number of schools that improved by more than 20% (15 schools) since 2010, followed by Lejweleputswa (12 schools), Fezile Dabi (10 schools), Motheo (9 schools) and Xhariep (3 schools). This improvement, no matter how small is highly appreciated.

100% Pass Rate schools in 2011

• The total number of schools that obtained a 100% pass in 2011 is 45, 5 more than in 2010. Since 2009 the number of schools with a 100% pass rate showed a steady increase from 38 in 2009 to 45 in 2011. It is also worth noting that Bainsvlei, a school located in the poorest area is among the 14 new entrants in the category of 100% schools. This school moved from 14% in 2009, 80% in 2010 and 100% in 2011!
• An increase in the number of schools that performed at 80% and above from 116 in 2010 to 155 in 2011.

Previously disadvantaged schools

• The number of underperforming schools decreased remarkably from 85 in 2010 to 60 in 2011. 49 schools improved by 20% and more, with the following 5 schools which underperformed in 2010 improving by more than 50%. These are Mohaladitwe (20.34% in 2010, the lowest in the province), Taung, SS Paki and Kananelo.
• A total of 162 schools showed an improvement and 128 of them were previously disadvantaged.

Levels of attainment in the NSC

• In 2011 6 817 (26.29%) learners have qualified to study towards a Bachelor’s degree. This number improved from 5 980 (21.35%) in 2010.
• 8 371 learners qualified to study towards Diploma studies.
• This number has improved from 8 180 in 2010. This gives the Free State 32.28% passes for Diploma Studies in contrast to 29.65% in 2010.

Gold, Silver and Bronze Schools

• Gold schools increased from 40 in 2010 to 45 in 2011 (100% schools)
• Silver schools increased from 46 in 2010 to 56 in 2011 (90-99.9%)
• Bronze schools increased from 30 in 2010 to 54 in 2011 (80%-89.9%)

Improvement in Maths, Science and Accounting Performance

• Maths pass rate improved from 47.9% in 2010 to 53.5% in 2011.
• Physical Science pass rate improved from 43.5% in 2010 to 54.7% in 2011.
• Accounting pass rate improved from 53.4% in 2010 to 59.5% in 2011.

Top and Best candidates in Mathematics, Physical Science and Accounting in 2011.

• Ms Deidre Basson from Eunice High School obtained 98% in Maths, the highest mark in the province and Mr Thaele Mokgomotsi from Nanabolela, a previously disadvantaged school obtained 95%.
• Two learners from Nanabolela in Lejweleputswa and Kgolathuto in Thabo Mofutsanyane obtained 100% in Accounting and Physical Science respectively.
• Top achiever Ms Deidre Basson obtained 98% in maths, 99.3% in Science and 97.7% in Accounting.
• Best candidate is Mr. Hlakotsa Bahale from Clubview Secondary School in Thabo Mofutsanyane.

The following learners have obtained a 100% pass in physical science, 100% pass in Accounting and 95% pass in mathematics respectively:

• Mr Mhlophe Masoi Johannes from Mampoi Senior Secondary School obtained a 100% pass in Physical Science
• Ms Letsela Mantjhoto from Kgolathuto Senior Secondary School obtained a 100% pass in Accounting and
• Mr Thaele Mokgomotso Petrus from Nanabolela Senior Secondary School obtained a 95% pass in mathematics.

Honorable Premier, as we are celebrating the achievement of our grade 12 learners who made it in their examinations, our hearts go out to those who could not make it. Usually, learners experience a trauma of some sort after failing the examinations. Therefore, we have established an examination help line where learners can be provided with counseling. We encourage learners and parents to make use of this free facility.

The help line will also help the 2011 learners who could not be assisted with enquiries at their schools and district offices. The number to call is 0800 00 0787.

Let me thank all principals, educators, SGB, SMT members, and all stakeholders with whom we traveled this road. A special thank you to the following sponsors who helped make this function a success:

Stadard Bank , Nedbank, Interstate Bus lines, Central University of Technology, Pan South African Language Board, Vodacom SA, Lenovo, Maskew Miller Longman, FNB, African Sky Hotels and EBHI.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Honorable Premier is here and he will give us a keynote address. But before he does so, I will give you a brief account of his profile as

follows:

Honorable Sekgobelo Elias Magashule is a teacher by profession. He became Premier of the Free State Province on 6 May 2009. He is the Provincial Chairperson of the ANC in the Free State since 1994.

Honorable Premier holds the Degree of Bachelor of Arts from the University of Fort hare, and his profile is as follows:

Career/Membership/Positions/Other Activities.

• Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Sport, Arts and Culture in the Free State Provincial government.
• MEC for Agriculture in the Free State Provincial government.
• MEC for Economic Affairs in the Free State Provincial government.
• MEC for Transport in the Free State Provincial government.
• MEC for Sport and Recreation in the Free State Provincial government.
• Member of Parliament.
• Member of the Portfolio Committee on Communication as well as Provincial and Local government.
• Longest serving Provincial ANC Chairperson.
• Went into exile in 1989 and returned to the country in 1991.
• Honorable Premier has also been a teacher in his career, which is why he is so passionate about good quality education for our children.

Honorable Premier, it is an honor for me to present you to this august gathering.

Ladies and Gentlemen, please let us stand up and welcome the Honorable Premier.

Thank you very much!